16% more cruise passengers traveled to Turkey

Turkey has seen a significant increase in cruise tourism, with coastal areas attracting record numbers of seafarers – the largest in a decade. The latest data shows that between January and September 2025, Turkish ports welcomed 1,075 cruise ships. To put that into perspective, that’s up from 917 that came during the same months in 2024.

More importantly, these ships brought in 1,710,454 cruise passengers, a 16% increase from last year’s 1,470,431. In fact, it represents the best nine-month stretch since 2013.

This revival marks the return of Turkey as a top destination for Mediterranean cruises. It is the combination of ancient history, clear blue waters, and amazing markets that make it so attractive to international travelers.

Kusadasi and Istanbul: leading ports

Kusadasi is actually the leading port in Turkey. Consider this: 493 ships arrived here in the first nine months, carrying 825,647 enthusiastic passengers. Located on the Aegean coast, not far from the old city of Ephesus, the location and high-quality facilities make it a hot spot for large cruises and day trips, which in turn helps local businesses travel to historic sites and its beautiful beaches.

Istanbul – the city that connects East and West – came in second, with 207 shipwrecks and 495,186 passengers disembarked. From Hagia Sophia to cruises on the Bosphorus, the city’s skyline is famous. It is the combination of city tours and the ease of access by sea that attracts luxury cruises to historic ports.

Other Turkish ports have also played an important role:

Bodrum: This exciting destination for ships welcomed 96 ships and 117,985 cruise passengers. It is well known for its high end resorts and nightlife.

Sixth: About 60 boats arrived with 45,863 visitors flocking to the peninsula’s hot springs and breezy beaches.

Izmir: With 31 ships and 56,359 cruise passengers, the vibrant Aegean city has seen growth.

Marmaris: About 30 ships brought 45,364 tourists, enjoying the tourist towns covered with pine trees and water sports.

Together, these ports highlight the variety of Turkish coastal attractions – everything from exploring cultural heritage to relaxing destinations that have really been boosted by the post-pandemic rebound in travel.

From pandemic lows to record highs

The figures for the first nine months of this year are better than any period in the last 12 years. Then again, between January and September 2013, 1,726,668 passengers arrived – a time before smartphones were ubiquitous, fueled by most European cruises. However, the COVID-19 crisis has led to a major drop, with only 1,824 arrivals at the start of 2020 as international travel is halted.

Bounceback was much faster, though. Passenger numbers exceeded 1 million again in 2023, setting the stage for rapid growth in 2025. Things like better health safety measures, different itineraries from major companies like Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, and Turkey’s reasonable prices have helped revive interest. As an industry expert said, “Turkey’s combination of affordable prices and authentic experiences make it a top destination for cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

With fall and winter cruises planned, officials think the total for the year could approach or even exceed 2 million cruise passengers. This shows how attractive Turkey is to seafarers. With ongoing investment in port facilities, the number of Turkish tourists is expected to continue to grow, employment growth, the preservation of cultural sites, and showcasing Turkey’s renowned hospitality.